nyc missions trips

PLEASE NOTE: IMMERSION Staff will be out of office Sept. 11-15. After submitting a form, use the link in your email to schedule a call for Sept. 18-22!

Service opportunities assigned to each community or program are not guaranteed to be part of every trip. Fill out an interest form to learn more.

• Mission Trips 1-2 Weeks
• Immersion 1, 3 & 6 Months
• Summer Internships
• Training Resources
• RISING Education Program
• Micro-Loans
• SIGN IN MyMission ACCOUNT

New York City Mission Trips

Community Overview

VIEW PHOTOS

On your New York City mission trip, you’ll experience the hustle and bustle of the city, but also have time to slow down and better understand the real issues from ministry partners who are in it for the long haul. Although it is the financial capital of the world—an estimated 40,000 people sleep in city shelters every night, with thousands more sleeping on the streets. Your team will have the chance to hear their stories and be a part of ministries like The Salvation Army who are making a difference through soup kitchens, day camp, Bible studies, and person-to-person prayer in the streets.

Urban mission trips in the U.S. can provide a challenging, cross-cultural experience for your team, and New York is a true melting pot of people from around the world. You’ll feel like locals as you immerse in a bustling urban environment, just a short subway ride from Times Square. Throughout the week, your team will walk the city blocks and ride public transportation to serve with ministries throughout Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. As you engage with local ministries, you’ll see real needs but you’ll also be a part of making people feel valued and heard.

Will you join a 2024 mission trip to New York and be a picture of hope to those on the fringes of society in America’s largest city?

Meet our Local Partners

Local partners.

Details & Logistics

Activities & opportunities, projects/outreach ministry.

This is a highly relational trip with many opportunities for engagement. Possible activities include working with underprivileged youth and people experiencing homelessness. You also may do lighter service projects such as minor repairs, cleaning & sorting, painting, and yard work.

Children's Ministry

Teams coming to this community will participate in Kids Club! In this community, connecting with the local children through children's ministry is an important part of what we do each day. Experience Mission will provide the curriculum for your teams use. This Kids Club curriculum will be sent out to Team Leaders in the spring via email. Your team may be asked to participate in multiple Kids Clubs and avenues of ministering to children.

Teams will be responsible to bring the craft supplies needed for their specific crafts and should budget appropriately. While we do our best to make sure the craft materials are cost-effective, teams may feel free to augment any materials to make them more suitable for their budget. Experience Mission will supply scissors, staplers, and paper hole punches. There are plenty of opportunities to connect with local children through games like soccer or Frisbee. Tuck in a hackysack, football or jump rope as they are sure to come in handy.

*Experience Mission works closely with local leaders to identify work projects and ministry opportunities that address authentic needs within the community. We ask that you come with a servant's heart and willingness to adapt to the unique qualities represented in each location. Opportunities can vary significantly from one week to the next. Your team may work at one location or serve at multiple locations each day. Due to the changing needs of our community partners, we cannot confirm your specific activities until your team arrives.

Typical Schedule

Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. This is a valuable time and we strongly encourage everyone to spend it with God journaling their thoughts and experiences as the days unfold. EM will provide a physical or printable devotional journal.

Our staff will lead a time of debriefing and a short devotional in the evening (what we call "Evening Gathering") and it is always a great addition to have musical worship. Our programming does not include musical worship as we can't guarantee that our our staff will have this ability. Please let us know if you have anyone who sings or plays guitar on your trip so that we can help to coordinate the musical aspect of worship when able. If teams aren't able to help in the area of music, it may not be a part of the trip.

Each day, there will be a varying schedule of work and outreach.

Curious about EM's ability to accommodate specific food restrictions? View EM's Food Policy

Transportation

Your teams transportation to, from and while in New York City is not covered. Parking is limited in NYC so please plan to bring as few vehicles as possible. 12 passenger vans are ideal. No buses, including mini buses are allowed. We do not have locations to store buses or trailers. Your team will be using The Metro throughout your week in NYC and the cost will need to be covered by your team. Prices vary so you should check into the cost of a one-week Metro card & budget appropriately.

Health & Safety

Em's health & safety plan:.

Check out EM's current Covid Guidance

New York Trip FAQs

What age group can you accommodate in New York City? This trip is open for high school and older. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate junior high students. Check out our list of available trips for jr. high students .

How much do New York City mission trips cost? The cost for this trip is $450/person for 2023. This includes all lodging, food, staffing, and trip-related expenses.

What seasons do you offer New York City mission trips? Mission trips to New York are available during the summer. Check out this list of all available spring break trips if you are looking for trips outside the summer months.

What will volunteers do on a mission trip to New York City? Teams in NYC split their time between local ministries with a focus on building relationships. You can expect to work with children's outreach, food ministry, homeless ministries, and minor home repair projects. In addition to this, your team will spend time learning about the history and context for ministry in New York.

Will we work with children in New York City? Yes! Kids Club is an integral part of the ministry in NYC. Once registered, your support person will provide you with resources to prepare.

What paperwork is required for this mission trip? Each team member will need to fill out a team member registration form and liability waiver, and all adults are required to pass a background check . Additionally, some of our partners require extra waivers for volunteer opportunities. These will be available once you register.

Where will my team stay? Teams will stay in vacant classrooms at a local church. Plan on bringing air mattresses for added comfort. Showers and meals will be available at this location.

How does transportation work during New York City mission trips? For this location, we require teams to utilize public transportation. Each individual team member should purchase a week-long unlimited MetroCard for around $35. This is a fun chance to not only conveniently navigate the city, but also to get a glimpse into everyday life in New York.

When should I arrive? Check-in is between 3 and 5 PM on the first day of your selected trip. Our staff will be awaiting your arrival. You can expect dinner and an orientation meeting to get you ready for the week that evening as well.

What should I pack for this trip? A packing list will be available to you once you register for the trip.

Does EM have any Covid requirements for teams? We ask that teams bring 1-2 masks/person and 2-4 rapid tests in the event that someone on your team becomes sick during the trip. Outside of that, we simply recommend that teams follow current CDC recommendations regarding travel, testing, and what to do if you're exposed or get sick. View EM's Current Covid Guidance

Does EM offer any other urban mission trips? Yes! We also currently offer trips to New Haven, Connecticut , Atlanta , and Chicago .

Have more questions about Experience Mission trips? Check out our general FAQs , or call our support team at 888-475-6414 .

Registration & Payment

Experience Mission has specific policies regarding registration and withdrawal. Please refer to the document below for specifics.

View Registration & Payment Policy

INDIVIDUALS

All volunteers on a week-long EM mission trip must be part of a team of at least six (6) people, with at least one team member age 21 or older to serve as the Team Leader. Not part of a group? All young adults ages 18-30 are eligible to apply for EM’s IMMERSION program.

Upcoming Trip Dates: New York City

We’d love to connect with you.

Dont hit a snag in your mission trip planning! Fill out an interest form or call (888) 475-6414 (Mon-Thu, 9am-5pm ET) to ask questions and learn more about upcoming EM mission trips.

Fill Out An Interest Form Call (888) 475-6414

Recent Blogs & Stories

Make your Mission Trip a reality!

Fill out a Group Interest Form

Only takes a minute! Simply choose the community and trip dates you’re most interested in—no commitment necessary.

We’ll personally follow up with you this week

Answering your questions and walking you through the process of finding the best trip, registering your group, and preparing to serve together.

You and your team serve on a cross-cultural mission trip!

Organized and led by EM field staff or local partners, your trip will bring encouragement and light to people in difficult circumstances, as you learn what it means to care for all people, whoever and wherever you are.

Fill Out an Interest Form

Read our Mission Trip FAQ and Registration Policy . If you have additional questions or don't see the dates you're looking for, fill out an interest form for the trip closest to what you're hoping for and let us know the needs of your group.

Don't let fundraising slow you down!

Download the free EM Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.

Get the Free Guide

Download our free Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414 .

View Small Team Trips

Which trip are you interested in?

Individuals (age 18-30):, verify your email address, which position are you applying for.

• Mission Trips
• Beauty For Ashes
• Bases and Long-term Partnerships
• CGA – Center for Global Action
• Long Term Missions
• Parent Ministry
• Short Term Missions
• The World Race
• Child Sponsorship
• Donations & Giving
• About Adventures
• Site Directory

Christian Short-Term Mission Trips

Short term mission trips for youth groups, high school students, college students and adults to the us and international sites., covid payment protection.

In order to best serve you and empower you to serve others, we’re offering no-hassle refunds for all our groups for the next year. We’ll work directly with you to make sure you are well taken care of.   Details on this policy here .

SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS ON A MISSION TRIP!

A mission trip will not only have a profound impact on the ministry partner and community that are being served, but also on you and your group as you discover that your stories are part of the bigger story of what God is doing. You will experience God in a new and powerful way as you serve others in a new context.

UPCOMING MISSION TRIPS

• Adult Trips
• Women’s Trips
• Youth Groups

Trip Types: Adult,Youth

Trip Types:Youth

Trip Types: Adult, Youth

Trip Starting Price: $365

Trip Types: Women

Trip Starting Price: $995

Trip Starting Price: $325

Trip Starting Price: $695

Trip Starting Price: $315

Trip Types: Adult, Youth, Women

Trip Types: Adult, Youth,

Trip Types: Youth

Trip Starting Price: $4495

Trip Types:  Adult, Youth, Women

Trip Starting Price: $595

Trip Types:  Adult, Youth

Trip Types:  Youth

Trip Starting Price: $335

Trip Starting Price: $345

Trip Starting Price: $645

Trip Starting Price: $395

Trip Starting Price: $845

Trip Starting Price: $1195

Listening Prayer

We want you to have a new experience with Jesus that dramatically encourages your relationship with Him. God has things to say to you! During our mission trips, we intentionally spend time to listen.

Relationship-driven process

More than just setting up a trip, we want to become your partners in ministry.

Customized ministry

The Holy Spirit is already doing a great work in your group; it’s our role to understand your needs and come alongside what God is already doing in a unique way.

Trusted local partners

All of our ministry partners, both overseas and domestic, have a history of excellence in hosting short-term mission teams.

Quality leadership

All of our Mission Leaders have been well trained and are specifically prepared to lead each group.

Sustainable missions

More than just designing an experience for your group, we work with ministry partners that have a long-term plan for sustainability. Your team will come alongside these efforts and can be confident that your service is actually helping.

It’s important to us that your group has an opportunity to connect with Jesus and what He’s doing, both around the world and here in the United States. It’s just as important to us that your experience happens in the context of a plan for sustainability. Our long-term missionaries and ministry partners are doing fantastic work every day. Your short-term mission trip will be specifically designed to support that effort while inspiring your group’s relationship with Jesus.

Brooke Pillar

Vanessa Washington

Ken belliard, tierra ellis, colby adams, mary gim norfleet, seth warner, youth pastor, nico concha, angela caldwell, kristi warner, keri williamson, victoria caldwell, melany claros, brigette selman, lauren johnson, eliana almario.

Collette Konkel

Madelyn harris, darlene konkel, kristen ogle, tyson stout, madelyn ortiz, payment protection plan.

Our goal is to work alongside you to achieve your mission trip goals while providing a sustainable impact wherever you serve. In an effort to better serve you, we have developed this payment protection policy for group Short Term Mission trips.

• In the case that Adventures cancels a trip, a group’s funds are refundable up to the $75 per person deposit. This deposit is able to be applied toward a future trip with Adventures.
• Adventures will make cancelations 60 days before a trip, except for the case of unpredictable or extenuating circumstances.
• In the case that a group decides to cancel, their payments can be applied toward a future trip with Adventures but are not refundable.
• Groups must notify Adventures of a decision to cancel 60 days before the trip. After this point we cannot guarantee any re-application of funds.

COVID-19 Trip Guidelines

Adventures encourages all participants to follow CDC guidelines and local regulations at all times. These guidelines will likely change between now and the time of your trip. We will discuss these changes with you as part of your preparation leading up to your trip. It’s important that your group familiarize themselves with these guidelines and make the appropriate preparation before the trip begins.

Having said that, we have also established these basic guidelines for all Adventures Short Term Mission trips.

• Trip participants are required to fill out a health safety questionnaire before traveling to their destination.
• Trip participants are required to fill out a health safety questionnaire each morning before breakfast.
• Trip participants should maintain social distancing, including in ministry. When not socially distanced, wear a mask.
• Each participant should bring at least three masks to wear throughout the week.
• All participants will be required to have their temperature checked by the Project Leader each morning. The Project Leader will be equipped with a temporal thermometer.
• No large group gatherings. We will coordinate with our ministry partners to try to ensure that there are no large group gatherings. In the case that there are, this is done at the discretion of the ministry partner and participants should not feel obligated to attend. It’s our objective to have plenty of smaller service opportunities, such as serving at food pantries, doing work projects at churches or ministries and ministering to people in smaller groups and in a safe, responsible manner.

100.4 degrees fahrenheit

They will be quarantined and taken to a facility to have a COVID test taken. They will remain quarantined for 10 days, per CDC guidelines.

They will be quarantined from the rest of the group and everyone will follow CDC recommendations.

Exposure means 15 minute of close interaction. In this case, the participant will enter the quarantine protocol.

The participant should notify their Project Leader or group leader and remove herself/himself from the situation.

Each location will be prepared with quarantine recommendations. Each situation is unique and will be handled specifically to address the needs of the individual, the group and others who are involved.

Each group is financially responsible for their own flights. We cannot reimburse any costs associated with travel. Please check with the airline about their flight cancellation policy.

Most of the time this decision is made for us by local authorities. In some international cases, airlines may decide to not fly into a country. We look at government recommendations, airline activity and discuss with our partner. This, paired with our ongoing attention to CDC and WHO recommendations and regulations, usually makes the decision to cancel very clear.

Make a Difference Today

Florida Disaster Relief

2022 Annual Report!

• Blogs & Updates
• Make a Donation
• Missionary Support
• Lead a Trip
• Long-term Missions
• Staff Support

• Giving: Login
• Toll Free: 800-881-2461
• Local: 770-983-1060

Fax: incomingfaxes@adventures. org

• Privacy Policy

Volunteering Servants

Making a Difference

Work/Service Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Ministry Principles

Looking to make a difference, want your group to leave a lasting impact on nyc, pray about coming to new york city on a mission trip.

To Begin Your NYC Mission Trip Planning Process

In addition, Mission New York City is a full-service support ministry that can also arrange

• Low-Cost Housing
• Homeless Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry Ministry Opportunities
• Urban VBS, Bible Opportunities, and After-School projects
• Choir Concerts and Performance Scheduling
• Custom Community Outreach Planning
• Direct Relationship Building Ministry Opportunities
• Prayer Station and Street Homeless Feeding/Ministering Opportunities
• One-to-One Ministry With Inner City Children Available
• Street Evangelism
• Airport Shuttles and Local Transportation
• Meal Recommendations
• Sightseeing Tours and Packages optional
• Lite Construction Projects

Background on the Ministry

Mission NYC a ministry of Mission City Travel

Contact info..

Hours of Operation

We provide 24/7 human assistance for mission teams registered to come to NYC.

Payment or Donation Options

Church, college, or business checks preferred

Using our PayPal account, we accept the following payments:

New York, New York City Mission

The work moves on.

Wow! We have already been home from our mission for two months! It is hard to believe we are at this point! I remember so keenly the day we arrived in NYC a little over 3 years ago and met President & Sister Smith and President & Sister Reynolds. In some ways it feels like yesterday and in others a life-time ago. Time is funny that way. 3 years ago we were excited, a little nervous, a lot out of our comfort zone and completely unaware of all the trials, joy, growth and learning that was waiting for us. From combining two strong missions into one even stronger one, and figuring out how to continue the work and keep hundreds of young missionaries physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually safe in the midst of a global pandemic to welcoming over a hundred re-assigned missionaries–we can never say it was boring but can always say God helped us with every challenge and we were blessed with amazing missionaries and senior couples who served and loved tirelessly (well maybe they were tired, but they always hid it behind a smile).

The time we had to serve in the NYC Mission will always be sacred and precious to us! We are so grateful for the opportunity and also grateful that President and Sister Holmes will now get this experience. This is the Lord’s work and we are blessed to be a part of it! I am so grateful he uses ordinary people and works with us despite all of our shortcomings and weakness.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. . . Let the mountains shout for joy, and all the valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! Doctrine & Covenants 128:22-23

The Final Transfer

The week before the Holmes arrived was our transfer week. Transfers were great! It is always so much fun to see each other and to see former companions or other friends from your previous districts! We had gorgeous weather and were able to gather outside in larger groups now that a large percentage are vaccinated, so it just added to the fun.

Below is the last group of new missionaries we picked up at JFK! I wonder how many trips to this airport we made over the past three years? We should have kept track! Each time we pick up new missionaries or see them off as they complete their service we are filled with gratitude. We like to say that we have a deal with the missionary department that they will only send the very best missionaries to the NYC Mission and so far they have done just that! 😉 Even though we only got to serve in NYC with these missionaries for 1 week, we can already tell they are going to be amazing missionaries!

ARRIVALS-JUNE 2021

TRANSFERS-JUNE 2021

DEPARTURES-JUNE 2021

What a group! We are incredibly grateful for the blessing of serving with each of these amazing missionaries. We couldn’t ask for a better group to be our last departing group! I remember so distinctly picking this large contingent of Elders up at the airport two years ago, and a few of them just a year ago when they were reassigned to NYC from their previous missions. We could tell even then that these were going to be some outstanding missionaries and we were right!

SAYING GOODBYE

We had a “Farewell Tour” and over the course of 4 days we were able to meet with all the missionaries and share some final thoughts and testimonies and take photos. As I looked out into their faces I was filled with so much love and gratitude for each and every one of them and for the blessing of serving with them. President Teuscher and I have been so blessed to have a front row seat and watch the conversion process take place over and over again in the individual hearts and minds of these young men and women. It is a remarkably consistent and yet entirely individual process. I love the story of Jesus turning water to wine at the wedding in Canna. Luke records it as “the first

These photos aren’t in any particular order but are grouped by the building that we met those particular missionaries at: New Rochelle, Woodside, Lincoln Square, and Flushing.

New Rochelle

Lincoln Square

Heading Home

Our son Isaac finished his mission in Iowa City, Iowa just a few days before we left NYC. We loved picking him up at the newly remodeled LaGuardia Airport, spending a couple of days with the whole family in NYC and then experiencing the transition home together. He had a wonderful mission and we are so grateful to his mission leaders, President and Sister Sturm for the wonderful guidance and inspiration they provided.

When we got home we stopped to see my mom who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia, then we headed to a Teuscher Family Reunion in Idaho. The following week we were able to give our mission reports in our new ward in Park City and then have an open house and visit with lots of our missionaries who are home and meet some of their families as well. It was such an amazing day and we are still basking in all the love! Members of our new ward were so surprised to come to church and wonder what was going on because the parking lot was never so full! Then to come in and see the chapel full to overflowing and hear the powerful singing of hundreds of returned missionaries! So many members have told me that the spirit they felt was powerful and it wasn’t anything we said it was the love for the gospel and the goodness and light these returned missionaries carry with them. Later we flew to California and had a whirl-wind few days visiting friends and giving a mission report in our Alameda ward. We have been trying to get to as many weddings and receptions as our schedule allows and it’s also been so fun to get together with some of our missionaries to have lunch, get ice-cream or have them over for game night with our kids and their cousins. Even though we are home and done with our full-time mission now, I am going to try and go back and fill in some details and add a few posts about things that happened in the mission–mostly so I have a better history. We were blessed to serve with 760 missionaries over the course of our three years in NYC! And there are hundreds more New Yorkers who we are now blessed to call friends. We are so grateful to have so many people to love and stay connected to.

We are forever changed by our experience and NYC will always have our hearts! 🗽❤️🗽

We are forever grateful to God for providing this opportunity and for preparing a way for us to accomplish it.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 1 Nephi 3:7

Called to Serve

We are so excited that President and Sister Holmes have been called to serve as the new Mission Leaders of the New York, New York City Mission! They are wonderful! We have been able to meet with them over Zoom several times and we love them already! We are thrilled for their family and know they too will experience blessings as their parents serve.

3 years ago, as we were preparing to come, I remember feeling really excited about coming to New York, but also overwhelmed and not exactly sure what I was supposed to do or how I was supposed to do it. The Holmes are way more experienced and competent than I was (President Teuscher was always more confident and competent than me 🙂 but you know, even if you feel like I did and still sometimes do; overwhelmed, under-prepared, not sure if I know what I’m doing–it’s OK, God can still use you and work through you to help others. He is right there to help you every step of the way.

If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work Doctrine & Covenants 4:3

Almost the final transfer and… almost done with Covid! 😷😊

We are in the final stretch of our 3 year mission and honestly, I’m not sure how we got to this point already. Time has this crazy way of going faster than we want, but here we are having the “last of” a lot of things. Our last zone conferences, our last round of interviews with all the missionaries, our last Mission Leaders Council, our last Stake Conferences. Next week will be our final trip to Bermuda as mission leaders. But, the “last of” for us also means the “first of” all of those same things is coming soon for President and Sister Holmes and we are so excited for them to get to experience it all! They will be here in just a few short weeks and there is a lot to do to get ready. As we’ve been planning out the transition we have a “how we’ve been doing it during Covid” plan and an “assuming Covid is over and many restrictions are gone by the time you get here” plan. We are thrilled that NYC is at 70% vaccination rates and our mission is over 80%. We are so grateful for modern medicine and technology. NYC is definitely coming back. There is an energy and optimism in the air. The traffic is definitely back! 🚕 🚗 🚙

One thing that we did not anticipate in this final stretch is that we’d be moving the mission home and office from Scarsdale to Manhattan.🗽 🚕 🏢 It is causing us all to scramble a bit more than usual. One thing is for sure–we can never say we had a boring mission!

We love Manhattan and all the rich texture of the city, but this move poses some unique challenges to how the mission is run and pretty much everything logistically speaking needs to be re-thought and re-planned in order to have things run smoothly, which is a big ask for the Big Apple! 🍎 So this past transfer we decided to do a practice run to try and work through some of the anticipated challenges. Ha ha! Glad we did as we learned a few things not to do. We will be changing things up again and try to have a smoother go of it this upcoming transfer.

ARRIVALS-May 2021

This is the second to last group of new missionaries we will greet. We pick up one more group next week. Even though we’ve only known these missionaries for a few weeks now, there is a bond and a love for each of them that is hard to describe. God has truly expanded our capacity to love.

The May 2021 Arrival group getting checked into a hotel in Queens (above). After a long day of travel and waiting for some late flights to arrive everyone was really tired and I think they were pretty happy to get to the hotel and to sleep. We got them all back to Woodside the next morning to meet their trainers. (pictured below)

TRANSFERS-May 2021

DEPARTURES- MAY 2021

Screen shots from departing testimony meeting above and saying goodbye at the airport below. Several of these missionaries were our Covid champs! They are true pioneers in figuring out and excelling at online and social media missionary work. We are so grateful for their good attitudes, their willingness to try new things and the talents and abilities God has blessed them with. The New York City Mission is better because of their service.

ZONE CONFERENCE

It is so hard to believe this is our last zone conference. The assistants told us everyone was expecting it to be the best one yet. Ha ha! no pressure there! Luckily, the gospel of Jesus Christ is always the best and you can’t go wrong when discussing any aspect of it. Our focus was on the first great commandment to love the Lord and the second to love our fellowmen. When we get that right, and get our loves in proper order everything else falls into place. St. Augustine had it right when he taught that the root of all sin and the reason so many people are discontent in life is because our lives are out of order; we have disordered loves. Ezra Taft Benson said that “when we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.”

❤️🤟❤️ Our joy increases as love becomes the motivation for the work we are called to do. ❤️🤟❤️

We prepared a little farewell gift for the missionaries and also took photos with everyone. I am working on getting those all sorted and will add them to a separate post here on the blog. Oh my goodness! My heart is full to overflowing with love and gratitude for these missionaries and all who we have had the privilege of serving with for whatever length of time. We are now at just over 760 young missionaries and with senior missionaries that number goes over 800! God is so good to allow us to know and love and learn from each one of them. This mission has been anything but ordinary, from combining two missions at the start to navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and being blessed with some of the absolute best missionaries that were re-assigned to NYC from over-seas missions to now trying to make all the necessary adjustments to moving the mission headquarters. We have been blessed and helped every step of the way by the most loving and willing to serve senior couples, mission nurses, assistants, office elders, social media specialists and so many more. The church leadership and members of the church here in the New York City area and in Connecticut and Bermuda are the best of the best. The Lord keeps sending the cream of the crop in terms of missionaries and senior couples. I sometimes wonder if he has us mixed up with someone who actually deserves all these blessings, but then I remember that God is not a God of confusion and that none of us deserve his grace but he freely gives it anyway and he delights to bless us if we exercise even a particle of faith and try to do his will. When I remember that, I offer another prayer of gratitude and vow to work a little harder, love a little deeper and try to be a little better at truly keeping my covenants.

These small items pictured above were in the farewell gift bag for each missionary. We also included a sticker of our mission logo which was a much bigger hit than I would have thought. They do love those cool stickers for their water bottles!

I made this video to show at Zone Conference. We talked about the call to serve and what it really means. There is always a lot of excitement and anticipation when missionaries open their call. Those who have served always say that missions are the best, but the hardest 2 years or 18 months of their life. Why? Why do hardest and best seem to go together when describing any meaningful endeavor? We talked about all we can learn from Jesus Christ accepting and completing gloriously his call to serve. His was incomprehensibly the hardest and best mission. He exemplifies to perfection the attributes of Work, Obedience, Love and Trusting in the Lord that we have tried to weave into all we have done and taught the missionaries these past three years. We hope and pray it has become more than a mantra and that these principles have sunk deep into their hearts as true principles that will help them be successful and find joy in any endeavor of life.

Springtime in the City:

Spring 2021.

Spring in the City is so gorgeous! It is especially delightful this year as we are cautiously emerging from the year+ Covid-19 Pandemic. It feels like everything in the city is coming back to life. Our family all got our Covid-19 vaccines and we feel so grateful for the way God works his miracles. It reminds me of one of my favorite miracle stories that also “sits at the intersection of faith and medicine” (a quote from the article referenced below). This miracle came as an answer to faith and prayers but through the preparation of a brilliant heart surgeon named Russell M. Nelson. I won’t tell the full story here but you can read all the details in an article called, “Discovering a Surgical First: Russell M Nelson and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty.” by Austin A. Robinson and Curtis T. Hunter.

Click to access RobinsonDiscovering.pdf

We know the pandemic isn’t over, and even if it was, we don’t want to entirely go back to “normal” from before; especially not in regards to the way we do missionary work. It was a long and sometimes hard road, but we feel so blessed for the opportunity to be “online missionary pioneers” in figuring out new and improved ways of sharing and teaching the gospel for our current day and time. These missionaries are so creative and more importantly they are faithful. Through hard work, obedience and lots of love they have tuned their hearts so they can really hear the spirit guiding them in their work. They are frequently inspired to try new things, and as importantly, they have the faith and the courage to try them! We have set some big goals for the mission and our attitude is “Why Not?” Why not reach for the stars and stretch yourself and put your trust and faith in God, that he can help you reach farther than you ever could on your own. We are only part way through our 6 month goals but so far God has helped us reach them and we have no doubt that he will continue to provide opportunities for us to be instruments in His hands as he orchestrates this work!

REACHING FOR THE STARS

BY EVA TIMOTHY

We were so grateful to have Eva Timothy join us for a devotional! Eva has an incredible conversion story, having searched for light from a young age she found the missionaries as a teenager in her native country of Bulgaria. She is a shining example of someone who lets God prevail in their life. If you don’t know her you should look her up on social media and feel of her contagious enthusiasm for the gospel. She is a fine art photographer and artist who actually served as a young missionary here in NYC!

We are lighting up the city and people’s lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Thanks to the creative efforts of Elder & Sister Clifford, we have our own mini cityscape where each window represents a friend who made covenants with God through baptism in the last few months. I wish I could share all their stories. There are so many amazing ones and it is evident every day that God is answering prayers and helping people find the hope and peace they are longing for in their lives. So many of them saw a post online or got a friend request from a missionary and when you ask why they responded to the request or commented on the post they say, something like, “I just felt like I should say “yes.” Or, “I knew the message was an answer to my prayers.” Lots of people respond to offers to pray with or for them, or to get help learning English or for Bible studies. One woman remembered the missionaries coming by her home when she was a young child. Her parents weren’t interested and sent them away. All these years later, she remembered how she had felt as a child and how she had wanted them to stay because she felt that they were teaching the truth so she walked into the church and found the missionaries and now she is baptized. The sisters taught a man who they call a “modern day Job.” 5 weeks ago he lost his house, 4 weeks ago he lost his brother, 3 weeks ago he got in a devastating car crash but this week he said he wasn’t going to let the enemy win and he chose to make covenants with Christ! Below are some but not all of those lights from above.

Volunteering

In addition to their regular missionary work, many of the missionaries volunteer at community food banks, parks, or other non-profits in their neighborhoods.

Fort Washington Armory Covid-19 Vaccination Center-Manhattan

Salvation Army-Harlem

Interfaith Community Services-Manhattan

Woodside Neighborhood Association-Queens

Morningside Park-Manhattan

Pakistani American Youth Organization-Brooklyn

February 16, 2021

March 30, 2021

It was a beautiful day for transfers in Woodside with crisp air and lots of sunshine! There is always a lot of energy and excitement and it is fun to see so many of the missionaries as they come throughout the day. Instead of having everyone come at the same time like we used to do, we schedule 3 or 4 mini transfers throughout the day so we don’t have big crowds gathering. The assistants are really good at coordinating it all so that each group for the most part is in and out with their new companions in less than an hour, which is remarkable give the varied locations and modes of transportation they use. I will forever be grateful Uber and all the drivers that got us through several transfers during the height of the pandemic when we couldn’t use public transit, but it was a huge headache logistically and it is just better over all to be outside and to see each other if only for a few minutes. We still give Uber plenty of business though as many of the re-assigned missionaries who joined us last summer are returning to their originally assigned missions over-seas or are flying to and from consulate appointments in other states in order to get the proper Visas for travel. We’d love to take them all to the airport to say goodbye and get photos with them, but we still haven’t figured out a way to be in multiple places at once so I’m once again grateful for Uber and cab drivers!

February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

Happy Birthday 🥳

It was so fun to have a surprise Happy Birthday Zoom call for President Teuscher with some of our missionaries who are home now. It made us extra happy to see some of the missionaries who had to leave at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic and either finish their mission early or finish serving in their home country. We loved hearing everyone’s stories and memories–some funny, some tender–all of them made us super grateful that we have had the privilege to serve with each and every one of these remarkable young men and women! We are so sad that our mission will be ending in a few months, but at the same time we are really excited for President and Sister Holmes because they get to serve with and love all these missionaries too!

Leadership Council

So many screen shots! It’s been a while since I posted any photos from MLC or Mission Leadership Meetings. Screen shots aren’t nearly as good as in person, but here are some from one of our recent leadership meetings. We usually have a big Zoom call for the first part of the leadership meeting where we have trainings and spiritually uplifting messages, then we break out into zones and the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders and District Leaders make their goals and plans for the transfer.

For our most recent MLC we had a group discussion about what we can learn from following Christ’s leadership style. We read one of the best talks ever by Spencer W. Kimball called “Jesus: The Perfect Leader.” He gave it in 1977 to the Young Presidents organization in Sun Valley Idaho. It is still such a classic because it is straight truth! Go read it if you never have and read it again if it’s been a while. I wish you all could have been in the discussion with us listening to the depth of understanding and insights these 20 year old disciples of Christ have. It fills me with hope to think that these are some of the future leaders of homes, classrooms, businesses, churches and civic organizations. Elder Parker Bingham gave a masterful training: “The Answer is the Doctrine,” based on a talk given by Elder Bednar. The doctrines of the gospel are always the foundation and the “why.” The principles are “what” and the application is “how.” True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior. I have seen this over and over again in my own life and in the lives of the people who are learning and coming to understand for themselves the true doctrines of the restored gospel. When understood and applied it changes our lives for the better. We have more peace, more light, more goodness, and more desire to share all those things with others. When we struggle to accept or live a principle of the gospel we can ask, “what doctrine do I not understand yet,” and then embark on a study of that doctrine. This approach has helped me so many times and I always come away asking myself: “How did I not know that, or how did I not understand that until now!” And then I think, “Wow! What else don’t I know or understand?” and while definitely humbling, it makes me grateful for a loving, patient God and for the opportunity to start on my next quest to learn more!

Speaking of always more to learn and discover…that is how I feel every time I get the chance to wander through the city a little. See below for some of the amazingness that I found on recent preparation day walks

OUT & ABOUT NYC

The High Line, Chelsea, Roosevelt Island, Central Park West, Central Park, Windows of the remodeled LaGuardia Airport. There is so much to see and love here ❤️🗽

Still serving in the time of Covid: part 5

#LightTheWorld 2020/Happy New Year 2021

THE NYC MISSION CHRISTMAS VIDEO & VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CARD

I love these end of the year videos and cards. I know we don’t quite get all the missionaries in as some leave before photos are taken or arrive just after, but this captures all who were in the mission as of Christmastime 2020. We have a lot of missionaries this year so the video goes through them quickly, but here they all are holding still 🤣

Christmas is always a wonderful time in New York City! This year a lot of things were not quite the same because of the ongoing pandemic, but there is still a festive spirit in the air and lights, beautiful trees and seasonal decorations still fill the lobbies and store fronts and Manhattan in particular feels like a magical place. We were sad that we didn’t have the Giving Machines for the #LightTheWorld campaign as that is always a highlight of the season for the missionaries to work at the machines, but we hope they will be back next year. We did have fun taking #LightTheWorld initiatives online. We started a couple of Facebook groups, one in English and one in Spanish so we could have a place to share and encourage others to do the #LightTheWorld service prompts each day and it was a big hit. Within just a few weeks we had a couple thousand people join, so we decided to keep going with the groups and see what happens. So far they continue growing and we hope they will become just one more way the missionaries can find people who are prepared and share the good new of the gospel with them. The mission Instagram account is also doing well. The missionaries we have running it are super creative and super focused on their missionary purpose and they are seeing lots of success. If you don’t follow our Instagram account yet you should go do that and tell any friends you have that live in New York to follow it too! It has really great content and will put some extra light and goodness into your day. The account is @comeuntochristnyc and here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/comeuntochristnyc/

Similar to Thanksgiving, we planned some special activities for Christmas. Below is our schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was so fun to gather on Zoom and hear stories from Sister Lori Mortensen and President Norris Chappell. What a blessing to have the Mortensens and Chappells serving with us! They are the best members, examples, and Mission Presidency counselors! Sister Mortensen introduced us to her friend and former New Yorker, Jenny Richards. Jenny is a graduate of The Juilliard School and a brilliant pianist. She gave us a access to her musical offering of the most peaceful, worshipful Christmas music. We had asked the missionaries families to send letters expressing their testimonies of the Savior and also any blessings they had seen while their missionary had been serving and then we asked the missionaries to read the letters and have some time to reflect on their own testimonies and blessings they had seen while they listened. Then, Christmas morning we were joined by Elder and Sister Bennett. Elder Bennett is our Area President. We are so grateful they took time out of their Christmas Morning to share an inspiring and uplifting message with us.

A little fun out and about with our kids. Adam and Noah came back for 7 weeks and finished up their winter semesters here. There was a lot of Zoom going on between 3 kids in school and all of our missionary meetings.

DECEMBER 2020-JANUARY 2021

These 16 missionaries finished their mission and returned home during December and early January. We loved hearing each of them share their powerful testimonies and experiences they’ve had while serving their missions. 5 of them were reassigned to NYC after being in overseas missions and were only here since this past summer, but we feel like they’ve been here the whole time and it’s hard to imagine they weren’t always a part of our mission. We feel so blessed to have served with each of these amazing young women and young men and we are grateful for the legacy of hard work, obedience, love, and trust in God that they leave for all of us.

We met with each zone over Zoom and then later met with them in person at a church building for a devotional. On the Zoom calls we did role plays where we picked a few different companionships to teach us about The Plan of Salvation in just 2 minutes! Wow they are some powerful teachers. It is amazing to me how the spirit is not restricted by us not being in the same room or anything like that. We could feel their love and the truthfulness of their message. I know the people they are teaching feel the same things. We had one companionship teach simply but powerfully using the lyrics to primary song, another one used a single verse of scripture and another used some artwork and a white board. All bore testimony and expressed how understanding God’s plan of happiness and salvation has blessed their life. We also had several missionaries read their one page personal statement we asked them to write about one of the principles of the plan of salvation. Those are my favorite! I love hearing their personal insights and experiences of coming to more deeply know their Savior and his gospel. In addition to being heartfelt and personal, some of them are just so well written. I think there are several future famous authors and poets in our midst!

SPECIAL GUESTS

We were thrilled to have President and Sister Smith and President and Sister Reynolds join us on morning devotionals. They were the mission leaders of the New York North and New York South Missions just before we arrived and those two missions were combined into the New York City Mission! We love them so much and are grateful for the amazing legacy of faith, work, obedience and love they left. We also had several former missionaries join one morning too and share some of their mission experiences. It was the best! Unfortunately I didn’t take screen shots that morning. We had the former Elders: Thompson, Carlson, Walker, Eastmond and Sisters: Schetselaar, Choi and Franks. We hope to organize a few more of those calls with NYC Mission alumni in the future. There is a great sense of connection and an instant bond we all share to this city and specifically to doing the Lord’s work in this city.

❄️ Nor’easter ❄️

After two fairly mild winters (by East Coast standards) we finally had a big storm! Even though school is mostly online now Grace still got a “snow day” and was pretty happy about that. You can hear her practicing the piano in the background of the video 😊. The missionaries had their preparation day but had to mostly stay home because the mayor said no cars could be on the roads (except for essential travel) and even the above ground trains quit running for part of the day because of the high winds and heavy snow. It is such a blessing that they can still do all their finding and teaching from their apartments if needed, but most of them got out and had some fun in the snow too 💨❄️☃️

  He directs the snow to fall on the earth

and tells the rain to pour down

Then everyone stops working

so they can watch his power

Job 37:6-7 New Living Translation

Serving in the Time of Covid: part 4

AUTUMN 2020

I’ve been so grateful these past few weeks for the beauty that God has designed for us! Fall in New York is the best!!! 🍁☀️🍁 I’ve been pondering about that phrase from President Nelson’s talk in October’s General Conference, “Let God Prevail.” What does it look like to let God prevail in my life? One day as I was on a walk, enjoying the fall colors in all their glory, I realized that these leaves are giving me the answer. They are showing me exactly what it looks like to “Let God Prevail!” They are doing what they were designed to do! They are trusting their creator and following His plan for them. And when they do, they bring so much beauty and joy to the world ! What if I did that? What if I trusted my creator and the plan he has for me? What if I did what I was designed to do, if I chose to do what he asked me to do: to love Him and love others? Would my life, like these leaves, bring beauty to the world too? I want to be more like the fall leaves and Let God Prevail! 🍁☀️🍁

…may the young men and young women come out of the darkness of the Past into the Glorious Light now shining among the children of men. Grant, our Father, that these young men and women may, through upright, virtuous lives, and prayerful study, be prepared and inclined to declare this message of salvation in their own tongue to their fellowmen. May their hearts, and the hearts of this people, be turned to their fathers that they may accept the opportunity offered them to bring salvation to the millions who have gone before. May the elders and sisters whom thou shalt call to this land as missionaries have keen insight into the mental and spiritual state of the Chinese mind. Give them special power and ability to approach this people in such manner as will make the proper appeal to them. We beseech thee, O God, to reveal to thy servants the best methods to adopt and the best plans to follow in establishing thy work among this ancient, tradition-steeped people. May the work prove joyous, and a rich harvest of honest souls bring peace to the workers’ hearts which surpasseth all understanding. “Dedicatory Prayer of the Chinese Realm for the Preaching of the Gospel,” Elder David O. McKay of the Quorum of the Twelve given on 9 January 1921

SPECIAL MORNING DEVOTIONAL WITH ARTIST CLARK KELLY PRICE

We really enjoyed learning from Clark Kelly Price and hearing the stories and inspiration behind some of his paintings. He was so generous to share digital images of a dozen of his paintings with us. I’ll share a little about 3 of them

“Dan Jones” is every missionary’s hero! Especially here in NYC where (pre-Covid) we would take to the streets, trains and busses and talk to everyone. Faith over fear, just like Dan Jones. Now they open their mouths online!

“First They Pray” depicts a father and son in Tonga (where Clark Price served his mission with my dad as his mission president 😊) before heading into the sea. First they pray, then they go! Much like Nephi: “I will go and do what the Lord commands…” trusting that he will provide a way for us to accomplish our tasks.

“All Present and Accounted For” which depicts the Stripling Warriors from the Book of Mormon at the end of a difficult battle–many wounded and tired from the fight but all present and accounted for. He shared how we sometimes want to quit the fight when it feels too hard, but that one day we will meet these warriors–will we be comfortable looking them in the eye and explaining our reasons for complaining or not doing our duty?

Virtual Mission Tour with Elder & Sister Clayton

We loved spending several days online in a variety of formats with the Claytons. We learned so much from both of them and loved having them join district councils, companionship studies, lessons with friends the missionaries are teaching and even some personal time with individual missionaries.

ZONE CONFERENCE:

Zone Conference has become a hybrid of online and in-person meetings. We love being able to gather in-person in small groups for our devotional portion and we also really like the convenience of being able to get the whole mission together at once on Zoom. We also like being able to meet online with individual zones and practice teaching or other skills. It gives more people a chance to participate and it gives us the opportunity to hear from and be taught by more missionaries.

In October, we focused on working with members. It was really wonderful for the missionaries to hear from several different local members who live and work here. They helped us gain insight into things we can do to earn trust and be more helpful to the members.

In November we learned about different ways to have effective scripture study and then we did some effective scripture study together by combining two of those ways–careful or in depth study of a certain passage and also topical. We explored the topic of gratitude and studied together the story of the 10 lepers. I’ll try and condense nearly an hour into a few sentences. All 10 lepers had the faith to call out to Jesus, all 10 were obedient when he told them to go show themselves to the priest, all 10 were healed as they went and did as he said, all 10 must have been overjoyed to be given this miracle of being healed, but only 1 returned to give thanks, 1 recognized who the true high priest was, 1 was grateful not only for the gift, but for the giver of the gift. It is easy to be grateful for the gift or the blessing or the miracle that is what we asked for, the prayer that was answered the way we hoped, but are we equally able to be grateful for and recognize the Savior as the source of all our blessings–even when we don’t recognize them as blessings? I love the quote from President Nelson and also this artwork entitled “Holding Sorrows” from Caitlin Connolly. When we truly develop a grateful heart we will be able to see beauty and good and opportunities for growth even in our sorrows. I am so grateful that He has provided a way through those sorrows and that he gives “beauty for ashes.” One of my favorite hymns is Come ,  Thou Fount . When I learn to see Christ as the source of every blessing, when I “tune my heart to see his grace” in and through all things, when I learn to recognize “streams of mercy, never ceasing”, then it truly does “call for songs of loudest praise.”

THANKSGIVING

We wanted to make Thanksgiving special for the missionaries since Covid cases are back on the rise so they weren’t able to have meals with members or others this Holiday season. Elder and Sister Buckner joined us on Zoom in the morning and gave an outstanding devotional. Elder Buckner is the Area Authority Seventy and they live in the Manhattan 1st Ward and are the absolute best! We love the Buckners! After the devotional we had our very own baking show featuring our star chef Sister Clifford! She taught us how to make homemade rolls and then I showed everyone how to bake a pumpkin pie. The missionaries spread lots of joy and messages of gratitude and then we met back together over Zoom in the evening to eat our pie and share our testimonies how good God is!

SEPTEMBER 2020

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2020

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020

RAINY DAY OCTOBER TRANSFERS

NOVEMBER TRANSFERS

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

🍁 Isaiah 40:8 🍁

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

🍁 Galatians 6:9 🍁

English Standard Version

Serving in the time of Covid: part 3

SUMMER 2020

I think we all thought or at least hoped that by now Covid-19 wouldn’t still be dictating large portions of how we live our daily lives, but we have learned to adapt.

Once the epicenter of infection and death, now New York City has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. That ability to come together, make sacrifices for the greater good and work to overcome is true not only of the city and state, but for our mission too. The missionaries here have been AMAZING at dealing with all the curve-balls the virus throws their way. They are mastering teaching the gospel using technology and social media. Instead of just waiting around for things to go back to normal, they have seized the opportunity to learn and grow in this new normal and have been incredibly creative. They learned to become even more effective missionaries than they were before all the restrictions that Covid brought.

Can’t talk to people on the streets and trains? No problem just figure out how to open your mouth online. Can’t meet at the church building to teach English Class? Well then, we will teach using FaceBook live and end up teaching 10 x as many people! Can’t go to church? That’s OK we will bring church and scripture study to you via WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom, Google Duo, etc. One thing is for certain, the spirit is not restricted by a virus or a computer screen. It can speak to, inspire and enlighten us no matter what means of communication we use.

Here are just a few examples of the many creative ways we are serving and spreading the light of the gospel online here in the New York City Mission. You can join us too! Scroll down on the image below and click on any of our pages to follow, like, comment and share.

Click to access share-the-gospel-online-in-5-minutes-or-less.pdf

Follow us on Instagram! Comment and share with those who can use more of Christ in their life.

This is going to be a long arrivals post, but that is what happens when you don’t post for 3 months and then receive over 100 new missionaries during that time!

After a few months of only sending missionaries home we were blessed to have both new and reassigned missionaries start arriving here in NYC. The reassigned missionaries had been serving in other missions overseas but were sent home when it became apparent that Covid was going to spread around the world. Most of them came home in March and were at home waiting for their reassignment for 3-5 months. That time at home counted as part of their service so by the time some of them got here they only had a few months left to serve. Others were only in their overseas mission for a few weeks when they were called home and some never even made it to their first assignment. No matter the length of service left we are so grateful that they each chose to serve. They have been a blessing for sure! I wish I could give all of their first mission leaders a huge hug of gratitude! I know it must have been so hard to send them home.

🇧🇷 🇦🇷 🇸🇬 🇿🇦 🇿🇼 🇨🇻 🇲🇽 🇭🇳 🇨🇱 🇵🇪 🇵🇦 🇨🇷 🇯🇵 🇮🇹 🇳🇱 🇸🇷 🇼🇸 🇵🇭 🇨🇴 🇬🇹 🇲🇾 🇪🇨

We made this “Welcome” video to let them all know how excited we were to have them join us in New York! At this point we’d been in self-isolation for a few months and some of the elders needed haircuts. Some of them tried to give themselves a buzz and others decided to wait until barber shops were open. I’m so grateful we captured this moment in time.

I lost count of how many trips we made to JFK this summer but it was a lot! Missionaries arrived over multiple days every other week (and sometimes random days in between) for a good part of the summer. There was always a lot of excitement as each new group arrived. If they were going to serve in a car area, their companion was there to greet them at the airport which was always fun. If they were in a metro area, the assistants or office elders or President Teuscher and I would drive them to their apartments and meet their companions in their area. There is this section on the drive from Brooklyn heading to Queens when you come around a curve and all of a sudden the Manhattan skyline appears on your left. I love taking that route with a brand new missionary–I love to see their reaction of amazement that they are really here and that it looks just like it does in all the movies they’ve seen! 🚙 🚘 🏙 🚕 🚗 🏙 🚙 🚘

AT THE AIRPORT: JUNE 8

WITH COMPANIONS

REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

We rejoiced when the reassigned missionaries started arriving! It felt a little like the story from the Book of Mormon when Helaman and his group of Stripling Warriors show up as reinforcements for the army of Antipus. Not anywhere close to the same thing as being in a war, I know, but the sentiment was similar for those missionaries who had been here throughout the months-long self-isolation, working hard to figure out the new normal of serving not only in the time of a pandemic but in what was the epicenter of it. They pushed themselves mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Many of them had friends who had come home from their missions, or family who was worried about them and so while they were certainly valiant and steadfast and I have no doubt they would have and could have kept going strong, still, it was good to get reinforcements!

AT THE AIRPORT: JUNE 22-24

Properly socially distanced photos make it hard to see who is who 🤣 masks don’t help much either 😷 but I kind of love these photos anyway because they capture the current situation well.

AT THE AIRPORT: JULY 6-8

AT THE AIRPORT: JULY 20-22

August 2020

AT THE AIRPORT: AUGUST 3-4

AT THE AIRPORT: AUGUST 17

AT THE AIRPORT: AUGUST 31

Certainly, one of the things we’ve missed the most because of Covid-19 restrictions is having the departing missionaries over to the mission home for dinner and a departing testimony meeting. We are grateful for Zoom technology so we can still hold a virtual testimony meeting. And we are grateful for Uber drivers who help up get all these wonderful missionaries from their apartments to the airport.

DEPARTING ZOOM TESTIMONY MEETING: JUNE

from top left: Eder Meyer, Elder Sutherland, Elder Harmer, Sister Peterson, Sister Nelson, Elder Lemke, Sister Woodin, Sister Tuttle, Elder Hein, Sister Liu, Hermana Christensen, Elder Dalby, Elder Turley, Sister Wallace, Elder Hwang.

DEPARTING: JULY

I didn’t get screen shots of everyone at the testimony meeting for this group but we were able to get to the airport for photos. I also love this screen shot of Sister Grimmer during her final interview with President Teuscher when she showed him her stack of her mission journals!

DEPARTING: AUGUST

Sister Mabaya (top row) and Hermana Bastian heading home.

With Covid restrictions easing ever so slightly, we were able to have a small testimony meeting with just the 4 of us, President & Sister Teuscher and Elder Lambert and Elder Lombardi. The Elders flew home the next morning and we flew to Bermuda to visit the branch there. The last time we visited Bermuda was the week between Christmas and New Years so it was definitely good to get back! One of the exciting things was that we sustained a new all Bermudian Branch presidency. Elder and Sister Moss who had been serving so faithfully in Bermuda for the past two years ended their mission a week later and now we are in the process of trying to get the young missionaries as well as another senior couple back on the island. Covid cases in Bermuda as very low and thy are trying to keep it that way so the testing is strict. We were scheduled to travel there a week earlier than we did but had to cancel our first trip because it was too rushed for us on this end to get a Covid test back in time and be ready to travel. We got the test for that first flight, then had to go back and get tested again the following week so it would be in the correct time window to fly. Once we arrived in Bermuda we were tested a 3rd time at the airport and had to quarantine in the hotel room until results came back negative–luckily all 3 tests were negative. While the procedure itself is unpleasant and the quarantine period is a bit annoying, we will gladly do it if it means protecting others from Covid. I see a lot of things online and hear about people who think it is a hoax or isn’t that serious, but having lived here where thousands died, where thousands more sacrificed their own health and safety to care for them, and where these people aren’t just numbers but are a part of our church congregation or friends that we teach; it is hard to understand why you wouldn’t do what you can to prevent it’s spread, even if it is a personal inconvenience for a little bit. The missionaries have certainly been inconvenienced over and over again because of it. Because New Yorkers were so strict with masks and social distancing and keeping things shut down for a long time, we are currently one of the states with the lowest rates of infection and to keep it that way, travelers coming to New York from other states with high rates of infection are required to quarantine for 14 days. With all the new arrivals we have a rolling cycle of companionships in quarantine. I want to give a big shout out to all the parents who help us with this, placing online grocery deliveries for your missionaries and also volunteering to help any other missionary who might need it! We not only have the best missionaries we have the best parents of missionaries too! We love you all and are so so so grateful for your support!

Here are a few pictures from beautiful Bermuda ☀️ 🌴 🌺 All the bright colors make me so happy! The bottom photos are the new Branch Presidency, the baptism of the newest member of the branch and the missionaries before they had to come back to NYC in March.

I’m excited I get to post a few transfer photos again! Uber transfers just aren’t the same 🤣! I do want to write a little about those transfers during Covid restrictions (I don’t have any photos of them). I can’t say enough how grateful we are for the amazing assistants who were faced with the monumental logistical task of figuring out transfers without the use of public transportation or the option to have missionaries meet up in a central location to do the exchanges. About 2/3 of our missionaries use public transportation so this is no small task. Thank goodness for Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab, Google spreadsheets and extremely capable assistants! We love them!

After the Uber transfers I think everyone was excited to have a modified “regular” transfer. It took some more detailed planning on the assistants’ part but they were able to pull off a 4 part transfer where limited numbers of companions met at a church parking lot during a certain time block and then left before the next small group arrived. This time we were able to use public transit again which made most of the missionaries realize that actually having an Uber or cab pick you up at your apartment turns out to be much more convenient than taking the metro when you are lugging all your and belongings with you. 😉

Morning Devotionals

We continued with our Morning Devotionals throughout the summer. We aren’t having them as often now that restrictions have eased up somewhat, but I’d say they are probably everyone’s favorite part of the Covid shutdown. We learn so much from each of our guest speakers and we are extremely appreciative of them taking the time to join us over Zoom and share their thoughts, experiences and testimonies. Below are some thumbnails from our mission google drive that show a sampling of the morning devotionals. Ask your missionary what they learned from some of them!

Serving in the time of Covid:

By late March 2020 this great, bustling city we’ve come to love was at a virtual standstill. In response to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus and the rising number of cases and deaths from Covid-19, the Governor of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo put the state of New York on PAUSE. All but essential business and services closed, school moved online, people were asked to stay home, no gatherings, no church, no meeting with others or teaching people in their homes.

The news reports out of New York were frightening. Thousands of new Covid-19 cases and rising by the day, hospitals overloaded, not enough ventilators, not enough protective equipment for the healthcare workers, people dying, portable morgues, so many questions about treatment, prevention, immunity etc., economic hardship, wide spread shortages of hygiene and cleaning supplies…the list goes on!

Face masks became our new accessory when we did have to go out. Hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and toilet paper were all suddenly in high demand. The same happened in many places around the world, but New York was our reality and it quickly became the epicenter of this pandemic. Our “new normal” was just trying to keep up with the rapid changes and trying (often unsuccessfully) to provide answers and reassurance to concerned missionaries, parents, family and friends. While there was an incredible amount of uncertainty about the future and how this would all work out, there was also an incredible amount of faith and trust in the Lord that this would all work out! We were touched time and time again by the thoughtful messages from our family and friends and from the families of the missionaries letting us know they were praying for us and expressing trust in the Lord, in their son or daughter and in us as mission leaders. It was just the encouragement and strength we needed on many an occasion.

This is a Facebook post I shared in response to a lot of questions and concerns from family and friends…

A lot of you are asking how we are doing in here NYC during this Covid19 pandemic. We are humbled. We are in awe of the strength and dedication and kindness of so many. We are sad. It is hard to see people suffering wether from the illness, loss of work, effects of social isolation, or any other hardship. We are aware. Aware of the difficulties and inconveniences–yes, but also aware of the unity of purpose and love for those most vulnerable that echos in the emptiness of an otherwise bustling city. We are blessed. In the midst of all of it, we are blessed to know and feel of God’s love for all of His children and to see so many of them turning to Him and choosing to let His light more fully into their lives. We are grateful. Grateful for the privilege of being in this amazing city that is so resilient and “tough, tough in a good way” as Governor Cuomo likes to say. We are grateful to be serving with some of the strongest, most dedicated, and learning-to-be-resilient young missionaries there are. We are grateful for the love and support and prayers and faith that are extended to us by all of you! We love you! We love New York! We love New Yorkers! We love being missionaries here! We love the Lord!

Arrivals: March 2020

Our “Covid Corps.” This awesome group of missionaries arrived and the next day we began self-isolation. They still haven’t met any of the people they are teaching, the members, or ward and branch leaders in person. They haven’t had the chance to knock doors or do street and train contacting that has traditionally been such a huge part of how missionary work is done in this city. They haven’t been able to get out and see much of the city other than where they can walk to during a break for exercise. They haven’t been to a district council, zone conference, church or any other traditional meeting that wasn’t held over Zoom or some other social media app. They have however completely embraced the world of online and social media missionary work. They are brilliant at it and have the best attitudes. Most of the sisters in this group had to learn Spanish by talking to people over the phone or on video chats! If you’ve ever learned a foreign language you’ll know how hard that would be. They’ve risen to the challenge and done beautifully. If you watched one of their Facebook live events–scripture study, english class etc. you’d never know the’ve only been at it for 3-4 months!

Arriving “home” to NYC from Bermuda

It was a boomerang trip to Bermuda 🇧🇲 ✈️🌴for Sister Bradley and Elder Rindlisbacher. They were both so excited to go to Bermuda! Sadly, they were only there a few days when we learned Bermuda would be closing borders. Along with missionaries serving in many foreign countries throughout the world we were asked to bring them “home.” Luckily for us home meant to NYC and they were able to stay on their missions where many other foreign missionaries were asked to return home and wait to finish their service until a later date.

Elder Laird also had a boomerang trip. He had been serving here for about 6 weeks while waiting for his Visa to Suriname. His Visa arrived and his flight was booked. He made it the first let to Florida but when his flight was supposed to leave they informed all passengers that the flight was cancelled because borders were just closed in Suriname. So he flew back to NYC and we are so grateful he gets to serve with us longer. Here he is (on the left) with his companions Elder Turley and Elder Barnes.

Departures: March-May 2020

March 11, 2020–We didn’t know this would be our last temple trip for a while. The temples around the world were closed due to the pandemic. The Manhattan temple is still closed and we assume it will not reopen for some time.

One of the “casualties” of Covid was that due to health or other concerns, many of our senior couples and a few of our young missionaries, including most of them who are from other countries were asked to return home earlier than planned. In some cases they were finished and in other cases they continued serving in a mission in their home countries. We were so sad to have them go, but glad they all made it home safely and that many of them are currently back out serving in their home countries. Because we were in self-isolation we weren’t able to all meet at the airport and instead we had to send them in individual Ubers or cabs, so I don’t have departing photos of everyone, but we sure love each of them and are so so grateful for their service–what ever length of time that was. Here are a few photos from shortly before they left or after returning.

April was another Uber transfer and departing group–no photos from transfers but here are airport selfies from our departing missionaries. We are truly grateful for their service!

Zone Conference

Zone Conference went digital! I asked everyone to send in a companionship “selfie” so we could document our first fully online zone conference–the results are this slide show. During zone conference we talked about the blessing of being able to serve in this place and time and under these circumstances. God was not and is not surprised by a pandemic or anything else that comes our way. He called us to be missionaries at this time and in this place and he still needs us to “bring the world his truth!”

These screen shots below are from a training by the Assistants, Elder Sutherland and Elder Lambert. It is slightly amusing looking back now, that 2 weeks of isolation seemed like a difficult situation. But in reality, those first weeks probably were the hardest because we were all learning how to adapt, how to stay focused on our purpose as missionaries and continue to do our work even though it felt like we were constrained and unable to get out and do missionary work in the ways we knew how and had become fairly proficient at. I have been so impressed with this group of missionaries overall–with their resiliency, willingness to learn and ability to not only survive but thrive in difficult circumstances.

Daily Devotionals

Daily Devotionals are one of the good things to come out of being stuck inside. We started having a morning devotional with the whole mission over Zoom. It is a great way to start the day and be able to connect and see everyone on the screen at least! The devotionals are a mix of motivation and spiritual uplift, sharing information and training; sometimes from President and Sister Teuscher and sometimes from fellow missionaries. The best are days we have guest speakers join us! We have been taught and inspired by so many amazing people! I’ve been blown away by their generosity and willingness to take time to join our devotionals and support the missionaries. We’ve heard from a wide range of people including: General Authorities, local church leaders, business, marketing and social media executives, musicians, artists, therapists, professors, motivational speakers and even the Governor of New York (via a downloaded YouTube video 😉) One thing all our guests speakers have in common is they each use the gifts and talents God has given them to lift and help others. Below are just a few examples.

Even though we were mostly stuck inside, spring was gorgeous this year! Here’s a glimpse of what I see on walks around the neighborhood. Enjoy!

Serving in the Time of Covid: Prelude to a Pandemic

An apostle visits.

In the weeks before the big red dot, the one that would soon appear on epidemiology and newsroom maps designating New York City as the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States, we were blessed with a visit from an apostle of the Lord, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his amazing wife, Kathy. We knew at the time it was a rare and beautiful experience to shake the hand of an apostle, to sit near him and hear his counsel and teaching. We did not know just how precious it would soon become. As it turns out it was one of the last times we were able to shake someone’s hand, give a hug, or even be in proximity to one another. In the weeks that followed, the viral disease known as Covid-19 stealthily and steadily spread on the crowded streets and spaces of this city we love. But before that, way back in the other pre-Covid life (which was only 4+months ago), we had the blessing of being in the presence of an apostle and even walking down the street a few blocks to enjoy a nice lunch together. Grace sat next to Elder Christofferson and they had a pleasant conversation while they enjoyed their avocado toast (Elder Christofferson’s choice) and a crab-cake BLT (Grace).

We have never been able to gather the entire mission in one place at the same time, so when we got word that Elder Christofferson was coming and wanted to meet with all the missionaries together we got to work trying to figure out how to get everyone to Manhattan and how to get a photograph to commemorate the day. We only had about 10 days notice so I called my sister Jane who is a professional photographer to ask her for tips on how to organize and take a quality photo of 200+ people in the few minutes we had prior to the meeting. After hearing her tips and tricks and things we would need to consider–things like lighting, special lenses, ladders and seating and standing charts according to height, I asked what she thought about taking a trip to NYC! Thankfully she was willing to pack up her gear and fly out here to help us out! The photo above is the result of all her hard work! Thank you Jane!

At the devotional, Elder and Sister Christofferson encouraged us to seek to have our own divine guidance and revelation in life. The best way to do this is to treasure up the word of God. Reading the scriptures each day is like charging your phone, it is how you get spiritual power and information for your day. They taught that the Book of Mormon is and should be our instrument of conversion and that as we read it we are putting ourselves in a position where God can perform the miracle of conversion. There was time for the missionaries to ask questions which I thought was awesome until Elder Christofferson turned and asked me to share my thoughts about one of them! Ha! If ye are prepared ye shall not fear right? Well, luckily a scripture did come to mind and I was able to share my thoughts, but I was definitely not fear free, so I guess it’s time to up the spiritual preparation!

January & February 2020

Departures:

February 2020.

Snap-shots from transfers February 2020

We were all blissfully unaware at the time these photos were taken that this would be our last transfer for a while at least where we got to greet friends and former companions momentarily.

I haven’t posted photos from our Mission Leaders Council for a while. Here are the Elders and Sisters who were serving as zone leaders and sister training leaders in January-February 2020. They are asked to take on extra leadership and teaching and responsibilities and to be good examples to their fellow missionaries. We are always so impressed with their dedication and willingness to put in extra effort. So often missionaries will tell stories about how a conversation or experience they had with one of their zone leaders or sister training leaders made a huge difference for them and got them to change an attitude, see things from a different perspective, increase their desire to be “all in” and make the most of their time as a missionary. We love the way they build, encourage and lift each other!

I love this song the elders sang. It is one of the songs my dad loved from his mission days. When I was young I remember him teaching us kids to sing the chorus in Tongan. I don’t really know much Tongan, but every time I hear this song and the chorus comes up I sing 🎶🎵” Pa-pi-lo-ne, Pa-pi-lo-ne no-fo a ko-e. Kau fo-ki a-u ki ho-ku fo-nu-a” 🎶🎵 Isn’t it amazing the power of music and melody? And also the power of what we are taught when we are young. I am so grateful for wonderful parents who taught me truth and taught with love. We are all still very young in terms of our relationship with our heavenly parents. Heavenly Father only teaches truth and always teaches with love. It is my prayer that the power of his teachings will sink deep into my heart and memory so that years from now, or during future trials and difficulties, I will be able to remember and know those truths instinctively–even if I don’t fully understand–I will still be able to sing!

#Light the World

Giving makes us happy.

We loved having the Giving Machines in Manhattan again this holiday season! They are such a fun, creative way to support local and global organizations and give to those in need. The missionaries are eager to help at the machines and spread cheer every day, even when it is cold and windy, which it often is! The holiday season is also a great time for creative ways to bring a little cheer to others and find people who are interested in learning about the gospel. Some favorite activities as pictured below are sidewalk chalk and Hot Chocolate stands and caroling in the subways!

I think this last photo of Hermana Rios in her #LightTheWorld hat with the temple in the background and the taxi passing behind her captures the NYC mission so well! Life speeds by all around but the missionaries stand calm, happy, confident and grounded in the knowledge of what is truly important in life. So often people describe them as “a light” and it’s true–they are spreading light and truth all throughout the world.

Elder Miller designed these area specific pass-along cards for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island as a parting gift before he finished his mission and returned home to England. New York City is such a fun place to #Light the World! We are so grateful to be part of this world wide charitable giving event. This year well over $6 million was raised for charity at the 10 different locations around the world!

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

Here are the new missionaries (the last group of this year and decade!) above with us and below with their trainers.

Heading home for the holidays! These sisters were in the first group of missionaries to arrive after we started. I remember so clearly picking them up at the airport! It is crazy how fast this past 18 months has gone!

CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL

This year transfers got moved to the week before Christmas and zone conferences got moved until the 2nd week of January so we planned a special Christmas Devotional that was held for 1/2 the mission on December 23rd and the other 1/2 on December 24th. Oh how I wish you could all be there or that we had recorded the two devotionals! There was such a beautiful spirit and SO MUCH JOY!! Each day we had missionaries share their musical talents and several of them shared short talks too. We have some seriously talented musicians serving here in NYC! We also sang several Christmas Carols together which I loved! My favorite group song might have been “Go Tell It On The Mountain”, they all sang with so much energy and enthusiasm! We also watched a short but incredibly beautiful film called “The Shepherd”. The Senior Couples worked so hard and made a fabulous Christmas Brunch for everyone and they also had gift boxes filled with treats and fun surprises for each missionary. Packages from home were passed out and there was just lots and lots of smiles and happy faces and lots of love and desire to go out and tell the world about that baby boy born to save us all! Being a missionary at Christmastime is the Best!

Because we had the Christmas Devotional and took so many photos, I didn’t take any at Zone Conference. However, we had a wonderful week of zone conferences this transfer too. The theme was “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”. We asked the missionaries to write on one page what they had learned during their mission about one of the areas of the Gospel: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End. Then we had several of them get up and read what they wrote. I love hearing their thoughts, testimonies and expressions of growth! Several of the zones also choose to have those who weren’t called on to share during zone conference, share what they wrote on the zone messenger chats–I love that they want to share! Listening to all their testimonies and experiences is so uplifting!

President Teuscher taught that all aspects of the gospel come together as one in the ordinance of the sacrament. He shared some insights from a talk by Elder Bednar https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/gather-together-in-one-all-things-in-christ?lang=eng and also quoted a talk dad (Elder Groberg) gave years ago about the sacrament that had a really beautiful insight: that when Christ was on the cross and said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That prayer was not just for the soldiers and those close by, but that he saw through all time to all of us for whom he was atoning and asked the Father to forgive “them” all–us! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/the-beauty-and-importance-of-the-sacrament?lang=eng

I spoke about personal conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can know if we are truly being converted. Conversion isn’t a checklist of things we do, rather it is a change of heart and mind–a change that leads us to be more and more Christlike in our thoughts and behaviors. We looked at examples and stories of what conversion looks like and also at several scriptures that help us determine if we are headed in the right direction.

We have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. Mosiah 5:1-2

Those who have obeyed my gospel…they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth…And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above. Yea, and with commandments not a few. Doctrine & Covenants 59:3-4

His commandments are not grievous. John 5:3

Do you feel a disposition to do good? Do you feel that commandments are blessings, not burdens? If so, I think you are on the path to conversion!

Hurrah for Israel

Conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses lives! To illustrate, I showed paintings, photographs and a short movie clip of three related “Hurrah for Israel” stories. First was the story of Brigham Young and Heber Kimball when they are so sick but still go on their missions and instead of complaining, they rise up and cheer “Hurrah for Israel!” as a way of encouraging their families who were also sick of malarial fevers. (Orson F. Whitney,  Life of Heber C. Kimball , Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996, p.266). 100 years later their example inspired a young boy named Feki who lived on a little island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean–he grew up to be my dad’s mission companion and the two of them had their own “Hurrah for Israel” experiences as depicted in the painting and film. I also shared a personal “Hurrah for Israel” experience from my mission when we taught Diego and his family. Diego recorded his thoughts and feelings for me to share about how the gospel has blessed his life and included photos from my mission, his mission and his son’s mission (his son is currently serving in California).

We also talked about the examples of faith, conversion and enduring to the end of the Banza family, Mary Whitmer and Jane Manning James.

The Banzas story of faith can be found in a talk given by Elder Renlund called “Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/16renlund?lang=eng

Mary Whitmer’s and Jane Manning James’ stories can be found in a variety of places including in the book Saints as well as these two sites.

https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/what-does-mary-whitmer-teach-us-about-enduring-trials

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1979/08/jane-manning-james-black-saint-1847-pioneer?lang=eng

❄️ MERRY CHRISTMAS ❄️

One of the fun traditions in this mission is making a Christmas Card with the photos of all of the missionaries currently serving in the mission. Here they all are–we love them all and are so grateful to be serving with them!

Things we are thankful for

It feels like Thanksgiving and the entire fall season went by in the blink of an eye! I am grateful to have these photos as evidence of the beautiful days and events that happened during this past transfer. In the spirit of the season here are some things we are especially grateful for.

🍁🍁 Grateful for new missionaries 🍁🍁

🍁 Grateful for wonderful companions who train the new missionaries 🍁🍁🍁

🍁🍁 Grateful for transfers and the chance to see friends from past areas plus the chance to experience new areas & make new friends .

We are very grateful for this group of departing missionaries and the legacy of work, obedience and love they leave.

We are grateful we could spend time with them in the temple before they returned home..

🍁🍁 Grateful for Zone Conference 🍁🍁

Our focus for the zone conferences and for the entire transfer has been “The Restoration.” President Teuscher taught about the broad scope of truths and gospel doctrines that were corrected and restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. Sister Teuscher’s training was on ways we can personalize the restoration. We want the story to become less factual and more personal.

One of the beautiful and personal messages of the Restoration is that there is hope and there is healing; there is light, truth and knowledge available to us. Like Joseph Smith, we can be truth seekers and light gatherers. If the world can be restored from darkness and apostasy to truth and light then individually we can be brought from ignorance, suffering or sin to knowledge, peace and wholeness. We can be restored!

As missionaries we share the message with others that restoration is real, both as a momentous, course-correcting event for all of humanity that God himself ushered in on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, and also as an intimate and personal event that can change the course of our individual hearts, minds and lives if we let it.

You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in Isaiah 58:12

Missionaries practiced teaching the Restoration simply but with conviction. They tried to teach all the most important information into 2 minutes! It’s harder than it seems!

Grateful for opportunities to serve with our friends of faith in the community 🍁🍁🍁

One of the many things we love about New York City is the rich diversity of culture, religion, ethnicity and so many other ways we often categorize ourselves. We love being part of different interfaith groups and serving along side them to help in the community.

More than anything we are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, for the restored gospel, the Book of Mormon and for a living prophet. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this knowledge and all the associated blessing with others!

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Report this content
• View site in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Mission Location: New York

Priority 1 nyc encounter weekends.

Teams arrive on Thursday evening for orientation and get settled into apt; Friday, team will serve with 2 different ministries (e.g. distributing food and clothing to homeless & disadvantaged families); Saturday, serving with 1 other ministry, and participate in “Prayer Walk Through NYC”; and Sunday, attend inner-city multi-ethnic church service prior to departure for home. […]

Looking for Volunteers to Serve in Washington, DC and NYC

Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) engages youth, college students and adults in meaningful service experiences through an innovative program that combines an orientation to the issues, hands on volunteer work and reflection. Using orientation and reflection to frame their service experiences, YSOP inspires our participants to broaden their perspectives and become engaged citizens. YSOP is […]

FRANCISCAN MISSION OUTREACH

"THE LOVE OF CHRIST IMPELS US" 2COR 5:14

Franciscan Mission Outreach is a non-profit organization

established by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

to support the life and ministry of the friars.

FMO sponsors the missionary efforts of

Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR.

Franciscan Mission Outreach carries out two main types of activities: mission trips and mission projects. FMO both organizes mission trips and collaborates in missions organized by other groups such as Friar Suppliers, Frassati Fellowship NYC and Missioners of Christ.  Mission trips include a combination of evangelization and service activities, prayer and the Sacraments.  FMO also assists with projects that support the mission of the Church and help meet the human and material needs of local communities, organizations and individuals.

Under the auspices of FMO, Fr. Herald Brock, CFR also preaches at parish missions and other events throughout the US .

MISSION TRIPS

FMO participates in 8-10 international mission trips each year to Jamaica, Honduras, Haiti and other countries in Latin America and Africa.

Franciscan Mission Outreach engages in a wide

variety of mission projects which assist dioceses,

parishes, clergy and religious communities;

evangelization, education and youth initiatives,

health care, housing and food distribution.

FMO currently  supports ongoing projects in

Cameroon, Uganda, Honduras, Haiti and Jamaica.

f FMO EMISSARY UPDATES

Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR, joined the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in 1988 and was ordained a priest in 1994. He has directed the friars’ shelters for homeless men in the Bronx and worked closely with YOUTH 2OOO New York. As a missionary in Honduras he established St. Benedict Joseph Free Medical Center for the poor and Casa Guadalupe Missionary Center, and in South Sudan built the House of Mercy Spiritual Center. Fr. Herald has preached throughout the US and traveled to more than 30 nations, mostly in the developing world.

“I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world.

We have to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded by this mission of

bringing light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and freeing.”

Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel 273

Contact fmo.

PO Box 1086 Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1086

[email protected]

(718) 618-4511

SUBSCRIBE TO FMO's EMISSARY E-LETTER:

Valor New York Mission Trip

New york city, ny march 15 -22, 2024.

The “tired, poor, and huddled masses” that immigrated through Ellis Island 100 years ago have grown into more than 8 million people living in only 309 square miles. Rich and poor. Business people and the homeless. Drug addicts and at-risk kids. During your week-long short-term mission trip, RIM will guide you through all 5 boroughs and challenge you to boldly share your faith with all kinds of people. Lost in the masses, many New Yorkers feel alone and insignificant. Join the New York mission trip team and connect with those lost in the crowd. Introduce them to a God who notices them and genuinely cares!

Fundraising Goal Range:

Beaverton Campus: $2195 *Launch City is Portland, OR

Valor Global Online: $1395

Valor Korea: $1395

Trip Cost Information:

Trip cost includes domestic airfare from Portland (Beaverton Campus only), all ground transportation, on-location meals, lodging, leadership cost, ministry training, adventure day, and ministry supplies.

Trip cost does not include souvenirs, baggage fees, and airport meals

Donations to RIM are tax-deductible because RIM is a registered 501(c)3 organization. All funds raised toward the project are non-refundable and non-transferable.

How To Go: ​

Click apply, choose "Valor School" under group name then choose your school location. List your top 2 choices of destination. If you are wanting to join the New York trip, you should list New York as Choice #1.

Application will open at 7 pm September 15th Pacific Daylight Time

$95 deposit due with application to secure your spot

Once accepted, you will receive access to your online account and the  acceptance packet

The application will close on September 29th

• When should I apply? For summer trips, applications are accepted from September through April. Apply as soon as possible in order to maximize time available for fundraising. RIM recommends that all groups apply before Christmas and that individuals apply no later than February 15th. Some applicants may be accepted after May 1st; however, a late-signup surcharge may apply equal to the increased cost of airfare compared to on-time signups.
• When is fundraising due? A $95 deposit is due when you accept your spot on the team, and 100% of your trip cost is due 30 days before your start date. After the deposit is submitted, the remaining trip cost will be split into 3 Fundraising goals (~33% due on 3 dates).
• When is paperwork due? Most of RIM’s forms can be completed online and are typically due June 1st. The Notarized Consent form must be physically mailed to RIM and is due June 1st for standard trips. All forms and due dates will be listed in your online account.

Fundraising and Forms:

Deadlines: Fundraising amounts and deadlines are based on your campus location.

$95 non-refundable deposit due with Application

November 15th: First fundraising deadline

December 15th: Second fundraising deadline

February 15th: Final fundraising deadline and RIM Consent Form due

Required Forms ​

RIM Notarized Consent Form due on Feb 15

Sign, notarize, and mail back to RIM at PO Box 1532, Gainesville, GA 30503​

Helpful Links: *These links will be a ctive once the trip is greenlighted

Acceptance Packet

Packing List

Trip Summary

Add Funds to Your Account Here:

United States

We are excited to announce the mission’s partnership between Metro World Child and Dream Center NYC! We have come together to create a dynamic and interactive missions experience through which you or your team can impact New York City in a unique way. While here  you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of Metro World Child and Dream Center NYC outreaches. We offer a number of mission trips throughout the year that are designed to give you a deeper insight into urban ministry and get you involved in the work that God has called us to do in NYC. We welcome individuals, families and groups of all sizes and commitment levels.  You can join one of our pre-planned,  specialized trips or create a customized trip for you or your team. --> Explore our Short Term Missions Trips below, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 718-453-3352 to schedule your visit or get for more information about a future visit! Filter by Category US International All Categories Impact Week

Weekend Experience

Summer Experience

Christmas Experience

Custom Experience

Request more info.

718.539.2324

All New Website coming soon!

Bringing LIFE to the Streets

 of New York City and the Nations

Click here to CONTACT US  

and scroll down for directions!

Sign up for monthly updates

Read our latest blog, psalm 70:5 - you can help too.

"Greatness is not what you have, it's what you give" 

unknown author

Thank you for giving!

Street LIFE Ministries

154-11 Ash Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 US

(718) 539-2324

Copyright © 2024 Street LIFE Ministries - All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

• Skip to main content

SEE MORE SEE LESS

• Missions Home
• Trip Participant Page

FOCUS Missions

Why Mission?

Some things are worth being uncomfortable for; authentic encounters, real friendship, and serving something greater than yourself. FOCUS Missions partners with hosts all around the world and in the U.S. who are serving the needs of their communities — and  they want you to join! Find your mission here and see what the Lord can do with your yes!

Winter Applications Open: July 31, 2023 Winter Applications Close: October 15, 2023

Spring/Summer Applications Open: September 1, 2023 Spring Applications Close: December 15, 2023 Summer Applications Close: February 15, 2024

Quick Links

View more + view less -, “i came on this mission to encounter christ.”.

Choose by Location

Where do you want to travel? We’ve got partners all over the world.

• LATIN AMERICA
• UNITED STATES

Choose by Season

What time of year works best for you? See which opportunities fit your schedule.

• SPRING BREAK

Choose by Affinity

Have a particular skill set? We have trips that could use your talents! We offer unique trip opportunities as well.

• FOCUS GREEK
• VARSITY CATHOLIC
• MEDICAL MISSION
• YOUNG ADULT TRIP (POST-GRAD)

We’re here to help you

Fundraising.

Support FOCUS Missions

You can change someone’s life with your donation! Give a student the chance to serve Christ in the poor, and come back with a deeper faith.

Jeff Runyan, Sr.

Director of International Relations and FOCUS 153

Jeff Runyan is a 15-year veteran of FOCUS and currently serves as the Sr. Director of International Relations. Jeff has degrees in Spanish and Political Science and a certification in Latin American Studies from Colorado State University. As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, he studied in a post-graduate program in International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University in Santiago, Chile. Jeff is also a Rotary World Peace Fellow and has received a certification in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Jeff served as a missionary at the United States Air Force Academy and spent 10 years as the Director of FOCUS Missions.

• Find a Missionary
• Find a Campus
• News & Press Room
• Annual Reports
• FOCUS Alumni
• Campus Life
• FOCUS Parish
• Digital Outreach
• Alumni Support
• Varsity Catholic
• FOCUS Greek
• Summer Projects
• Get Involved
• Board of Advisors

• How to Know God
• Beginning With God
• Core Christian Beliefs
• Today's Promise
• The Suffering Series
• Personal Guide to Fasting
• 7 Steps to Fasting
• Fasting Starter Kit
• Holy Spirit Resource Kit
• Are there contradictions in the Bible?
• Have You Found Your Purpose in Life?
• How to Study the Bible on Your Own
• Anytime Bible Studies
• Questions & Struggles
• Browse by Topic
• Browse by Book
• Browse by Spiritual Interest
• Evangelism Principles
• Outreach Strategies
• Obstacles to Faith
• Digital Ministry
• Adult Discipleship Resources
• Leading a Small Group
• Immersive Experiences
• In-Depth Resources
• Leader Development
• Starting a Ministry
• Leading a Team
• Sending Your Team
• Language Resources
• Quizzes & Assessments
• High School
• For Parents
• For Students
• More Resources
• Grad Students
• Ministry Leaders
• Mission / Vision / Values
• Boxes of Love®
• Homeless Care Kits
• Easter Bags
• PowerPacks®
• Heart & Sole®
• Adult Discipleship
• S.A.Y. Yes! Centers for Youth Development®
• Resources for Equipping
• Inner City Missions
• Urban Immersion™
• Summer Missions
• Inner City Internships
• Cru® Staff Opportunities
• Changed-Life Stories
• COVID-19 Response
• Close Conference
• Creating Options Together™ 2014
• Creating Options Together™ 2016
• Christmas in New York
• Addressing Racial Injustice
• God Dwells in My City
• The Circle of Hope
• Leveraging for Gospel Transformation
• S.A.Y. Yes!®
• 35th Anniversary
• Inner-City Missions
• Options Blog
• Transformed by a Thanksgiving Meal —
• Best Resources
• Australia-Oceania
• Christian Embassy, D.C.
• Christian Embassy, NY
• Faculty & Graduates
• The Impact Movement
• Josh McDowell Ministry
• Why LeaderImpact?
• How Does LeaderImpact Work?
• Who Is Involved With LeaderImpact?
• Testimonies
• What Do I Do Next?
• All Ministries
• Mission Trips
• Learn - International
• Locations - International
• FAQ - International
• How to Apply - International
• Blog - International Internships
• Locations - US
• How to Apply
• Headquarters Internships
• Open Positions
• Raise Support
• Salary/Benefits
• Qualifications
• Statement of Faith
• Application Process
• New Staff Training
• Theology Training
• Support Training
• Part-time Field Staff
• Part Time Operational and Skilled Roles
• Part-time Field Staff Application Process
• Supported Staff Positions at Our World Headquarters
• World Headquarters – Contact Us
• Hourly & Salaried Positions
• Thinking About a Mid-Career Change?
• 1-Year Internships
• Office Positions
• Long-Term Opportunities
• Authentic Italy
• Camino de Santiago
• Orlando Openings
• Volunteer Profiles
• Contact the Volunteer Office
• Conferences
• Cru Office Internships Preview Weekend
• Ministry Preview Weekends
• Orlando High School Ministry Internship Preview Weekend
• Professional Skills
• Groups to Reach
• Special Interests
• Key Funding Needs
• History of Cru
• Evangelism & Discipleship
• Why Cru Staff Members Raise Support
• Commitment to Confidentiality and Security of Donor Information
• Commitment to Ministry Partners
• Position on Gift Designation and Reassignment
• Guidelines for Direct Marketing
• Liquidation of Non-Cash Donations
• Real Property and Insurance Gift Acceptance Guidelines
• Independent Governing Board and Financial Audits
• Position on Conflicts of Interest
• Annual Report
• Our Founders
• Our Leadership
• Cru Partnerships
• Bible References
• Terminology
• General Tools for Growth
• Ethnic Ministry Fund
• Oneness in Ethnic and Cultural Diversity: Our Position
• Oneness in Generational Diversity: Our Position
• Sexuality and Gender
• Cru22 Recorded Sessions
• Start A New Gift
• Your Giving
• Payment Methods
• Give by Mail or Phone
• Stock and Non Cash Gifts
• IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
• Donor-Advised Funds
• Planned Giving through Cru Foundation
• Cryptocurrency
• Your Account
• More Ways to Give

Cru Summer Missions

• Filter Trips

General Trip Info

< Back To Filter

New York City Summer Mission

One out of every fifteen people in America lives in the New York City metro area. NYC is undeniably the leader in finance, art, politics and business. Think Wall Street, the United Nations, Park Avenue, Broadway/Times Square. Although it is huge, it is also a city of small neighborhoods … The Village, Bushwick, Tribeca, Astoria… each has its own unique personality and vibe. And each is only a walk, subway or bus ride away.

New Yorkers speak over 170 languages. They come from all over the world and make an impact throughout the entire world. When you come to NYC, you can reach the nations without ever having a passport.

Behind all glitter is a city steeped in poverty and immense need. New Yorkers have all been through great tragedy, but they are survivors! Come to NYC, and reach the nations!

Involved Cru Teams

Login to unlock this feature.

To enter your answer and save your progress you need to login. Don't worry, it's free and easy!

Login Now Create an Account

I'll do this later, let me keep reading...

You're just one step away...

You need to login to continue with the course. You'll have full access to course features and you'll be able to save your progress. Don't worry, a Cru login is free and easy to create!

Mission Trips

Southeastern sends hundreds of students all over the world every semester. These trips are an incredible opportunity to GO with our professors to see what God is doing all over the world, and participate in His amazing work among the nations there.

Crossover Indianapolis: Summer Break 2024

Trip Dates: June 2, 2024 - June 7, 2024 Trip Cost: $200 + travel costs Deposit: $50 Each year students from the SBC seminaries gather in the city hosting the Annual Meeting to partner with one another, NAMB, and local churches for the purpose of blanketing that city with the good news of Jesus. This is a great opportunity for you to grow in your confidence and competence in personal evangelism, while serving in Indianapolis. This trip will NOT meet the missions practicum requirement on your degree plan. All students are eligible to go, and if you are a Timothy Scholar, your degree requirement will be met. All others are electives.

South Asia: Summer Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS NOW CLOSED! Trip Dates: May 14, 2024 - May 24, 2024 Trip Cost: $2,000 Deposit: $250 South Asia is known to have more unreached people groups than any place on earth. Come with us to minister in the heart of lostness. You will share the gospel and teach others to do the same in the mighty Himalayas among many unreached peoples so that they may follow Jesus.

Central Asia: Summer Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS NOW CLOSED! Trip Dates: May 17, 2024 - May 26, 2024 Trip Cost: $2,000 Deposit: $250 The Central Asia study tour trip is focused on cultural immersion and leadership training. We’ll be traveling with other refugees touring the seven churches of the book of Revelation. You will be paired up with a few other believers from a different culture and, essentially, do “life” with them for the week (i.e. room, meals, and travel).

North Africa: Summer Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS FULL! Trip Dates: June 22, 2024 - June 30, 2024 Trip Cost: $2,000 Deposit: $250 Come to a majority Muslim country that is strategically placed in the midst of the Islamic world. You will have opportunities to share your story and exchange culture with nationals while walking where the first Apostles walked centuries before.

College House System Clarkston, GA: Fall Break 2023

THIS TRIP HAS ALREADY PASSED! This is a special trip, EXCLUSIVE TO COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE HOUSE SYSTEM. We have provided this unique trip for our House System college students at a discounted price to give them the opportunity to engage in Refugee ministry. Clarkston, GA is known as the most diverse square mile in North America, as it is the highest concentration of refugees placed anywhere in the United States. For this trip, we will be partnering with Send Relief and the North American Mission Board who have a ministry center in Clarkston, GA. Don't miss this opportunity to share the gospel with refugees with your House System!

New York City: Winter Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS FULL! The purpose of this trip is to introduce a variety of urban ministry possibilities to Southeastern students by learning from and serving with a selected group of churches, church plants, and/or urban ministries through the Metro New York Baptist Association, especially those connected to Southeastern alumni. Students will see firsthand what it is like to do ministry in an urban North American context among a variety of different people groups and demographics.

Southeast Asia: Winter Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS FULL! Come with us to minister among one of the most populated Muslim countries in one of the largest mega cities in the world. Bring the good news to those who may have never heard before. You will have an opportunity to work with local churches, prayer walk, and share in areas with unreached peoples so that they may know the name of Jesus.

Paris: Spring Break 2024

THIS TRIP IS FULL Trip Dates: April 19, 2024 - April 27, 2024 Trip Cost: $1,850 Deposit: $250 Join us for a Spring Break in the City of Lights, participating in diaspora missions among unreached West African Muslims. We will immerse in West African communities and enclaves in Paris, engaging in gospel ministry through teaching English. Our team will support an ongoing strategy by long-term field personnel and assist in developing relationships that allow for ongoing evangelism and missions. Paris is one of the most historic and picturesque destinations in the world, and this trip will allow students to see the unbelievable diversity that exists in a global city.

Philadelphia: Spring Break 2024

Trip Dates: April 20, 2024 - April 28, 2024 Trip Cost: $850 Deposit: $125 Join us as we spend Spring Break getting a front row seat to church planting in two send cities. Get that–two cities, one trip! We will spend the first few days with the Send Baltimore team and, from there, head to Philadelphia to end our trip. Along the way, you will meet church planters in both cities, see firsthand the needs present, and serve in various ministry needs that would aid these young churches in the work they are doing. This trip is an ideal step for those interested in church planting or leading their church to be more meaningfully involved in starting new churches.

Course FAQ’s

1. if i go on a trip, do i have to take a class.

Yes, there is no way around this requirement. Even if you don’t need the credit, if you go on the trip, you take the class.

2. Do I have to pay for the class?

No, the tuition for all mission trips run through the Center for Great Commission Studies is waived.

3. If I go on more than one trip will the credit still count?

Yes, the credit will count as an elective.

4. Do I have to be an on-campus student to go on mission trips?

No, anyone enrolled in any program at Southeastern is eligible for consideration on a mission trip run through the CGCS.

5. Is there a way to get credit for mission trips run through my church?

Yes, for more information on requirements for earning credit for mission trips done outside of Southeastern please click here .

Financial FAQ’s

1. are there scholarships for mission trips.

Yes and no. All mission trips are scholar-shipped in that we subsidize a large chunk of the cost for each student on every trip. There is additional funding available for minority students who apply and are accepted into the Kingdom Diversity Missions Initiative program. For more information, contact the CGCS here .

2. How do I or my donors make payments for mission trips?

Payments for mission trips can be made by checks made out to SEBTS brought by the CGCS or online by clicking here.

3. What does the cost of the trip cover?

The cost of the trip covers travel, housing, and food.

4. What if I have to back out of a trip, will the money I’ve paid and raised be refunded for me?

Students are responsible for all money paid on their behalf for mission trips. No donated funds can be refunded to students under any circumstance. Students may only be refunded money they have paid themselves with approval from the Director of the CGCS.

5. What if I over raise?

If a student raises more support than is due for their trip, the amount that has been over raised is dispersed to students in need of trip funding.

**If you are a professor and interested in leading a mission trip, please fill out the form below and contact our Director, Keelan Cook for more information. Mission Trip Prospectus Form ›

• Plan a Visit
• Pastors & Staff
• What We Believe
• Care & Support
• Our Ministries
• Emmitt Park
• Sign-Ups Finder
• Translation

Mission Experiences

Check out all of our upcoming 2024 mission experiences below.

All prices are listed per person and include airfare, ground transportation, lodging, meals, and ministry materials and resources. Questions? Email [email protected]

Tanzania | CONSTRUCTION

April 19-28, 2024 | $3800

Tanzania | MEDICAL

Kenya | APRIL

Apr 19 - May 1, 2024 | $3400

New York City, NY | MAY

May 23-27, 2024 | $775

May 23 - June 1, 2024 | $3800

New York City, NY | JUNE

June 7-13, 2024 | $850

Mexico | JUNE

June 15-23, 2024 | $1300

Dominican Republic

June 22-28, 2024 | $2250

June 22-30, 2024 | $3000

PRIMETIME TRIP (60+ ONLY)

Salt Lake City, UT

June 22-29, 2024 | $1000

New York City, NY | JULY

July 11-14, 2024 | $675

Peru | MEDICAL

July 19-27, 2024 | $3350

July 24-31, 2024 | $1500

Philippines | MEDICAL

Jul 31 - Aug 11, 2024 | $2950

August 15-24, 2024 | $3450

August 16-24, 2024 | $2400

YOUNG ADULTS TRIP (25-35 ONLY)

New York City, NY

Aug 29 - Sept 2, 2024 | $775

Aug 30 - Sept 8  |  $2250

Kenya | SEPTEMBER

Aug 30-Sept 10, 2024 | $3400

New York City, NY | SEPTEMBER

September 19-22 | $675

September 8-14, 2024 | $1500

September 13-21, 2024 | $3700

Honduras | MEN ONLY

September 14-22, 2023 | $1900

Ireland | SEPTEMBER

September 23-30, 2024 | $2350

El Paso, TX

October 16-20, 2024 | $575

New York City, NY | OCTOBER

October 10-13, 2024 | $675

Tex-Mex Border

October 21-26, 2024 | $850

Kids 9-12 yrs | $425

Nepal | MEDICAL

November 7-16, 2024 | $3700

New York City, NY | NOVEMBER

November 21-24, 2024 | $675

Mexico | DECEMBER

November 30 - December 8, 2024 | $1300

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

December 2-4, 2024 | $250 Double | $400 Single

New York City, NY | DECEMBER

December 2024 | $675

New York City, NY | JANUARY

January 25-28, 2024 | $675

New York City, NY | FEBRUARY

February 15-19, 2024 | $775

Columbus, OH

March 21-24 | $800

HIGH SCHOOL TRIP

San Francisco, CA

March 22-25, 2024 | $950

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIP

March 22-25, 2024 | $675

Ireland | MARCH

March 31-April 7, 2024 | $2350

PRETEEN TRIP

April 18-21, 2024 | $675

Helping People Go and Make Disciples of All Nations

SHORT-TERM TRIPS LONG TERM IMPACT

mission trip

Starts here..

Short-Term Trips

With Servant Life mission partners.

Join us on a Servant Life mission trip with one of our partners around the world. Your short-term trip will be part of strategic, long-term ministry efforts. With our  all-inclusive mission trips , we'll take care of the details such as lodging, meals, and transportation so that you can focus on the ministry!

we take care of the details .

Mission Assist

Go anywhere in the world!

Already know where you're going on your trip, but need some help getting there? Our team of mission trip experts is ready to help. We will book your airfare, take care of your insurance, assist with visas, and equip your team with devotionals, training materials, t-shirts, and more! 

Get started with a FREE quote .

A1Eight Project 

Summer missions for college students.

College aged students, spend your summer serving with one of our global mission partners. Be involved in the front lines of ministry, learn from career missionaries and long-term workers, and be part of giving leadership to short-term teams. Use your entire summer to help advance the gospel.

Apply online today!

Online Store

Mission trip resources and gear.

Whether you're looking for mission trip resources like devotionals or gear like t-shirts, hats, or stickers, we've got what you're looking for! Our four-week devotionals are a popular resource to guide teams spiritually in the weeks before, during, and after your short-term trip.

All proceeds support

global missions.

SERVANT LIFE EXISTS TO SEE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST PROCLAIMED AND LIVED OUT AMONG THE NATIONS.

Since its inception in 1999, Servant Life has been a mission-mobilizing ministry providing dynamic mission experiences for students and adults. Our aim is to connect Christ-followers' love for God to the nations through His Word and empowered by His Spirit. Currently Servant Life sends short-term mission teams to sixteen countries including six locations in the United States, as well as mid-term missionaries around the world. Be a part of the Great Commission by going and taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.

Year Established

Churches Partnered With

Missionaries Mobilized

Gospel Message

— Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China

"The great commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

Filed under:

• Is It Still Good?

Mission Chinese Has Popped Up in Chinatown

A return to the classics — and a few new dishes, too

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Mission Chinese Has Popped Up in Chinatown

A few days ago, Mission Chinese popped up on the premises of Cha Kee , a restaurant in the heart of Chinatown at 43 Mott Street, at Bayard Street, that debuted in 2021 with a Japanese-influenced Chinese menu. On its Instagram account , it announced Mission Chinese was taking over the space at 5 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday through the end of the summer, while Cha Kee would serve a Hong Kong-style bill of fare in the morning and afternoon.

The colorful back-lit wall menu of the original New York Mission Chinese — which has graced all previous versions of the restaurant — hangs at the end of a room that is bisected by long communal tables. Foliage hangs from the ceiling along with lights that look like metal lily pads. One wall boasts a sponged-on design resembling leaves, while another is painted bright blue. In short, the décor of Cha Kee, with a few adjustments, falls within chef Danny Bowien’s eclectic design aesthetic — though there’s no trace of Twin Peaks .

Danny Bowien , Mission’s chef, guided a friend and me through the 18-item menu: Most of the dishes come from the original San Francisco Mission Chinese, with the exception of a few new ones. He also pointed out that beef chow fun had been borrowed from the Cha Kee menu, and we resolved to order a mix of old and new dishes, and the chow fun, too.

The Sichuan pickles ($9) provided a nice start, crunchy cabbage with a sweet and peppery flavor, but then the famous Chonqing chicken wings ($19) blasted our palates: They looked the same as previous iterations, dried red chiles scattered here and there, but, if anything, the almost-metallic peppercorn taste and chile heat were more aggressive, and I still tasted cinnamon — though the spice rub is more complicated, featuring fennel, clove, cumin, and star anise.

The original San Francisco Mission Chinese opened as a food cart in 2008 then moved into an existing Chinese restaurant in the Mission District, where veteran Chinese cooks remained. Mission Chinese opened in New York in 2012 on the Lower East Side’s Orchard Street , and later segued to a new location on East Broadway (opening a sibling restaurant, Mission Cantina , in the interim).

Meanwhile, the Bushwick location opened in 2017, overlapping with the East Broadway spot. In 2018, former employees sued Mission Chinese for a culture that allowed for racial discrimination , resulting in a 2020 New York Magazine report coinciding with the East Broadway closure. The Brooklyn location closed in 2022 . The original San Francisco location was sold to new owners and remains open.

Today’s Mission Chinese is a throwback to the San Francisco original, with Bowien employing veteran Chinese cooks from Cha Kee. “I taught them the recipes over three days, and they got the idea immediately,” says Bowien. Indeed, the old recipes seemed one step livelier than they were in the Bushwick version of the restaurant.

The kung pao pastrami ($31) — perhaps Bowien’s greatest invention — seems like it’s awash in more red chile oil than before, the chunks of cured meat bigger and fattier, the heap of roasted peanuts on top more prodigious. I dug into it as if greeting an old friend, having enjoyed it at the earlier incarnations of the restaurant. The ma po tofu was much the same, but meatier.

From here, we tried a couple of new dishes: The West Lake lamb dumpling dish ($18) takes a beef-and-tofu classic soup and transforms it into hedgehog-shaped dumplings, which bob in a mildly spicy broth with glass noodles, surmounted by a tangle of greens, looking like a lake landscape with islands. The gamy flavor of lamb shines. There’s also a version of the classic wontons in red chile oil that we didn’t try.

Served cold, Jacky’s spicy Sprite noodles ($16) derives most of its tingle not from Sichuan peppercorns, but from soda pop — and some sweetness, too. Among the dishes we tried that day, it was lightest on the stomach. I look forward to trying it again when summer rolls around. Last to arrive on the table was Cha Kee’s version of beef chow fun — a standard at many restaurants up and down Mott Street, and a signature Chinese American dish. This rendition had plenty of smoky flavor from the searing temperature of the wok, with the usual brown sauce absorbed by the noodles.

The meal ended with a dessert that recalled the zany menu of the Bushwick Mission Chinese — a lemony granita with Pop Rocks mixed in on top of a custard — very refreshing despite the little explosions in your mouth.

Gone are the days when Bowien cooked large-format dishes like whole duck in lotus leaves baked in clay, or when flavored ice was an appetizer. The current Mission Chinese seems like a return to the basic principles the restaurant started nearly 20 years ago: powerfully flavored and sometimes brilliant Sichuan adaptations incorporated into the canon of Chinese American cuisine — this time right in the middle of Chinatown.

There’s a Midnight Pasta Party This Weekend

A dozen more restaurants close in new york city, a gas station burger debuts in the west village.